UKC

Hi all,

I'm trying to find a first aid course that will be suitable for my SPA and CWA. I can't really afford to splash out on two courses if one will do but understand things relevant to the SPA might not be so relevant to the CWA and vice versa. I have no previous first aid experience. I'm getting a bit confused by all the different acronyms: HSE, REC, OFA, ITC, etc. Any help to clear this confusion would be much appreciated.

If anyone has any specific recommendations of course providers in the Peak District that would be grand as well.

Cheers,

Jamie

In reply to jwa: high peak first aid, highly recommend them.

In reply to jwa: all first aid courses are pretty much the same. you'll need a 16hr course thatts recognised by the mlte. REC ITC whatever, so long as its 16 hrs it matters not.

In reply to jwa: just done my spa and did my first aid with http://www.activefirstaid.co.uk/
could not recommend highly enough.
i have been on many first aid courses and this was the best by far.
no nonsense, practical, real experience.
rec level 2 is fairly standard.
for spa you need a 16hr course with some form of assessment.
hse courses aren't that great, aimed at general workplace first aid
the course i did was focused on outdoors,

In reply to jwa: Any 16hr course will meet the requirements.

An outdoor first aid course will be more relevant than a standard hse.

REC, ITC etc are just brand names.

Go with a company someone's recommended to you.

In reply to jwa:

One course will cover both SPA and CWA and all the other MLTB awards. Do a 2 day (16 hour) one from a provider that does a course designed for instructors. Like has been said REC, ITC are just companies that provide basically the same thing.

Don't be swayed into doing an advanced one or anything extra, the basic is fine. High Peak First Aid are good. This is one you need http://www.highpeakfirstaid.co.uk/courses/wildernesshostile-environment/wil...

In reply to jwa: I've used Surrey First Aid http://www.surreyfirstaid.com/
they are very good, tailored to your needs - for me it was about being out in remote areas and acting on an casuality, as well as problems possibly encounted while climbing - good special effects to.

Thanks for all the replies. High Peak First Aid get the most recommendations on this thread and others and they're local so I'll be booking with them soon.

In reply to higherclimbingwales:

So absolutely not true. You can sit on your arse for the duration watching powerpoints, or spend time listening to an ex-fireman (for instance) going on about what they did once, totally unrelated to what you need, or hopefully you do a practical one based on the environment in which you might need it.

Some lead to a nationally recognised qualification. Some are run by organisations who insist on some form of Quality Assurance. Some ....

I could go on, but dinner is ready, so I'm not.

In reply to jwa:

Hello Jamie you may contact us for clarity on your questions by calling 0700 345 0249 or mail us at info@remotefirstaid.com

We can answer your questions direct so that you can purchase a course in your locality that meets your needs.

http://remotefirstaid.com/Outdoor-Pursuits-First-Aid.php

In reply to Bingers:

I was having this discussion with my boss, who has had an interesting life including driving trucks round africa for several years, as well as being a battlefield medic. He still has to get his first aid updated every 3 years, but he finds most courses are run by outdoor instructor types who have maybe only ever dealt with one broken leg and a couple of twisted ankles in the past.

Personally, I reckon the BASP courses are pretty good, especially if you get one taught by Jeff, who does Ski Patrol at Nevis Range as well as being a member of Glenco MRT. He's treated several hundred broken people in his life and has the hideously gory pictures to prove it.

In reply to ray:

I too can recommend Kath, she is putting the finishing touches on a book too, thats about outdoor first aid.